Industrial truck



July 20 1926.

E. H. REMDE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Original Fild March 11, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet1 July 20 1926.

E. H. REMDE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March11 July 20, 1926.

E. H. REMDE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Original Filed March 11, 1921 3Sheets-Sheet C5 Patented July 20, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E. BEMDE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THE BAKER-RAULA'NG COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A COBPOBATION OI OHIO.

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

original application filed March 11, 1921, Serial No. 451,622; Dividedand this application filed April 14. 1924. Serial No. 706,339.

This invention relates toa truck for industrial uses, more particularlyto a truck having mounted on. it an elevating and carrying mechanism,whereby goods can be transported from place to place rapidly andeconomically.

One object of the invention is to provide a truck of this characterhaving an elevat ing mechanism and improved means for automaticallystopping the elevated mechanism when its elevating member is moving inone direction.

Another object of the invention is to construct a truck of thischaracter and to combine therewith means for automatically stoping theelevating mechanism when its elevating member is moving in eitherdirection.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which my invention relates from the following description takenin connection .with the accompanying drawings For the purpose ofillustration, I have, in the accompanying drawings shown and hereindescribed one form of apparatus embodying my invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a truck having mounted on it anelevating and carrying mechanism and automatic stopping mechanismembodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the truck shown in Fig. 1, the preferredform of steering construction being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, enlarged.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6--6 of Fig. 4.

FFig. 7 is a section on the line 77 of 8 is a section on the line 8-8 ofFig. 9 is a section similar to Fig. 7, but showing the contacts of theswitch cut-out mechanism separated to open the motor circuit.

In the drawings, 1 indicates as an ontirety the truck or motor vehicle,preferably of the electric motor driven type, and having a frame 1 andwheels 2, certain or all of which, if desired, may be driven by adriving mechanism 2 and steered. 3 indicates a housing within whichsuitable storage batteries 4 may be arranged. In Figs. 1 and 2 I haveshown at one end of the truck a platform 5 on which the operative maystand, and control elements 6, 7 and 8 in convenient positions formanipulation in a well-known way.

10 indicates as an entirety the lifting and carrying mechanism rigidlymounted on the frame 1 and platform 9 of the truck 1. Of the lifting andcarrying mechanism, 12 indicates a frame preferably comprising a base 13fixed to the frame 1 and platform 9 and a pair of spaced guide members14 preferably extendin vertically above and below the base 13. The guidemembers 14 preferably consist of channel bars the flanges of which mayserve as front and rear guide walls for an elevating member 19 to belater referred to.

The base 13 preferably comprises a pair of channel bars 13, which may beconnected together by cross members, one thereof be ing indicated at 15.The frame 12 is secured to the truck by a pair of angle plates 16,whichare bolted and riveted to the truck frame 1 and guide members 14,respectively, and by bolts 17 extending through the channel bars 13 neartheir inner ends. The upper ends of the guides 14 may be braced by apair of tie-rods 18 rigidly secured in any well-known manner to theinner ends of the bars 13".

The elevating member 19 comprises a casting having a body portion 19provided with seats 20, 20, and pairs of upper and lower arms 21. Thebody portion 19 is adapted to have connected to it a lifting and carry"ing element 22 which will be later described. 23 indicates devicescarried by the arms 21 and arranged to engage the flanges of the guidemembers 14. The devices 23 preferably comprise flanged rollers 23'mounted on stud-shafts 23 the stems of which fit into openings formedin the arms 21. The arms 21 of each pair are preferably offset, relativeto the central longitudinal plane of the guide members, whereby theupper devices 23 will engage the front flanges of the guide members 14and the lower devices 23 will engage the. rear flanges thereof. 24indicates a pair of spaced lugs between which extends a pin or shaft 25.

26 indicates a frame swiveled on the in or shaft 25 and supportingbetween its ifurcated members a pulley or sheave 27 the purpose of whichwill be later set forth.

28 indicates as an entirety a mechanism for raisin and lowering theelevating member 19. f this mechanism, 29 indicates. a frame preferablyin the form of a casing. The opposite end walls of the casing areprovided with openings to receive and support the opposite ends of ashaft 30 carrying a drum 31. 32 indicates an electric motor preferablymounted on a bracket or other extension member of the frame 29. Theshaft of the motor 32 is connected through suitable gearing (not shown)with the drum shaft, whereby the latter may be driven in eitherdirection at will. 33 indicates a suitable controller, for operating themotor 32. The controller is placed within convenient reach of theoperative. 34 indicates a plurality of devices serving to rigidl clampthe casing 29 to the bars 13, at al times. 36 indicates the hoistingrope or cable, which is adapted to'be wound on and unwound from the drum31. The rope is connected to the drum in any suitable manner. From it,the rope 36 extends upwardly around a sheave 37 loosely mounted on ashaft 38 supported by the upper ends of the guide members 14. The ropethen extends downwardly around the pulley or sheave 27 and then upwardlyand over a second sheave 37 on the shaft 38, its opposite end beinganchored in any desired manner, for example by a clamp 39.

40 indicates a casing having suitable contact devices 40*, 40, throughwhich electric current is established to operate the motor 32 when thelifting member is raised and lowered. As shown, there are two pairs ofcontacts 40, 40, one of which (40) ofeach pair is operated to break thecircuit through it and the adjacent contact. 40 indicates a shaftmounted in one wall of the casing 40 and carrying on its outer end anarm 40", to which reference will later be made, and on its inner end alever 40. 40 indicates a pair of shafts mounted in the casing at equaldistance from the lever 40 when the latter is in its mid-position, andconnected through a plate 40 with a terminal 40, to which the lead isconnected by one or more screws, as shown in Fig. 8. Each shaft 40pivotally supports the adjacent contact 40 so that it may swing into andout of engagement with the other contact 40 of the pair. 40 indicates arocker pivotally mounted on each shaft 40. Corresponding ends 40" of therockers 40 extend laterally to either side of the lever 40, whereby thelatter may engage either rocker end and swing the rocker on itssupporting, shaft 40.

i The opposite ends of the rockers are provided with spaced lugs 40"which engage the contacts to move them in either direction. As shown,the lugs 40" on each rocker are spaced apart a greater distance than thewidth of the contact 40 so that the rocker 40 may move a predetermineddistance before one of the lugs will engage the contact. This form ofconstruction enables .me to provide a spring 40 around the adjacentshaft 40*, one end of the spring engaging with the rocker end 40 and itsopposite end engaging with the contact 40 to swing it out of engagementwith the contact 40 upon the movement of the adjacent rocker. As aresult of this arrangement, operation of the rocker 40 will first putthe spring 40 under tension, then upon en'- gagement of a lug with thecontact, the rocker will move the latter relative to the contact 40" toeffect disengagement therewith, following which the tension of thespring will impart to the contact 40 a quick movement and thus preventarcing- 40, 40, indicate springs each connected at one end in any wellknown manner to the casing or a bolt mounted therein and at its oppositeend to a flange 40 provided on the adjacent rocker 40. Each spring 40tends to return the adjacent rocker and through it the contact 40actuated thereby to normal position, which operation takes placefollowing the return of the lever 40 to its mid-position. The outer endof the lever 40 may be provided with a rod' 40 which may be adjustedendwise in either direction so that the lever 40 may move either rockerthe desired distance when it is operated. The contacts 40 may be of anydesired construction. The contacts 40 are preferably connected to blocks40, each having a suitable connector 40 for a lead. As shown in Fig. 8,the lever 40 is curved laterally at its free end so as to dispose therod 40 in line with the rocker ends 40*. The arm 40 being secured to theshaft 40 (as already described) serves to operate either of the contacts40, 40, as just described, to break the electric circuit when the arm isswung in one direction or the other. At its outer end the arm 40 isbifurcated and straddles a pin or projection 41 carried by a movablemember 41. The member 41 preferably comprises a bar disposed between theguides 14 and extending longitudinally thereof. The bar 41 carries apair of spaced tappets 41", 41, which project into the path of movementof the elevating member 19 or some element carried thereby. The bar 41is slidably mounted by suitable guide devices 41 (one being shown inFig. 4), whereby it can move endwise in either direction. The normalposition of the bar 41 is shown in Fig. 4, being held against movementdownwardly by a coiled spring 41 interposed between the -19 againstfurther movement.

the latter.

guide device 41 and a collar or washer 41 adjustably mounted on theupper end of the rod by a nut 41. Upon engagement of the member 19 withone of the tappets 41", or 41, the bar 41 is moved endwise and it inturn, through the pin 41*, swings the arm 40", causing the latter tobreak the circuit. This operation shuts off the motor 32 and arrests theelevating member If the bar- 41 has been moved upwardly, it will movedownwardly by gravity when the elevating member 19 is operateddownwardly, until the spring 41' engages the guide device 41;

if the bar 41 has been moved downwardly, such movement will compress thespring 41 which will return the bar to normal position when theelevating member 19 moves upwardly.

The lifting and carrying element 22 shown for example in Figs. 1 to 6,inclusive, is so shaped that it can be first moved, extended orprojected in an endwise direction into or through a plurality of stackedhollow or ring-shaped devices or objects (for example vehicle tires orrims) that are to be transported, and then lifted or elevated to freethe devices or objects from their support; thus adapting itself as anautomatic loader. For this application of my invention, the lifting andcarrying element 22 comprises a horizontally extending arm 42 and a basemember 43 adapted to be removably secured to the seats or base portions20, 20*, of the elevating member 19 by a plurality of cap screws 44. Thearm 42 preferably comprises a tubular member and its inner end mayextend through and beyond the base member 43 and removably fit anopening 45 formed in the elevating member 19. As a result of thisarrangement, the screws 44 are relieved of undue strains, when thelifting and carrying element is supporting or transporting objects.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided arelatively simple form of limiting means in which the operated elementis supported to move in a direction parallel to the movementof theelevating member and carries devices that are disposed in the path ofmovement of By such arrangement and construction, positive operation ofthe operated element is insured and its movement back to normal ositionis readily effected.

This app ication is-a division of my application filed March 11, 1921,Serial No. 451,622.

To those skilled in the art of making mechanism of the class described,many alterations in construction and widely differing embodiments andapplications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof. In fact, it will be noted that myinvention may be applied to and associated with various forms ofelevating mechanisms, examples of which are shown in my aforesaidapplication, Serial No. 451,622. My disclosures and the descriptionherein are purely llustrative and are not intended to be in any senselimiting.

\ What I claim is In a truck, the combination with a frame mounted onwheels, of a pair of vertical guides on said frame, an elevatingmechanism having an element movably sup ported by said guides and meansfor raising and lowering said element, an electric motor for drivingsaid means, a controller for controlling the operation of said motor, aswitch having contacts through which the circuit to said motor iscompleted when operated, and a bar arranged adjacent said guides,operatively connected with said switch and provided with devicesarranged in the path of movement of said element, whereby the latterengages one of said devices when moved -in either direction and operatessaid switch.

2. In a truck, the combination with a frame mounted on wheels, of avertical guide on said frame, an elevating mechanism including anelectric motor, a source of current supply therefor, an element movablysupported in said guide, a controller controlling the operation of saidmotor, a, switch having pairs of contacts through one pair of which thecircuit for said motor is completed when operating in either direction,a movably supported bar, devices carried by the bar and arranged in thepath of move mentof said elevating element, whereby the latter operatesthe bar when moving in either direction, a spring disposed between saidbar and its support serving to yieldingly support said bar in normalposition and operating to return the bar to such position after it hasbeen moved in one direction, and connections between the bar and saidswitch, whereby the bar will break the circuit through one pair of saidcontacts when it is moved in either direction.

3.. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a main framemounted on wheels, a guide frame, an elevatin member movably supportedon said guide frame, means for raising and lowering said member, saidmeans including an electric motor, guide devices supported in operativerelationship to said guide frame, a bar mounted to slide endwise In saidguide devices, a collar on said bar, a spring interposed between saidcollar and a guide device serving to support the bar in a mid-positionand to stop downward movement thereof at such position under theinfluence of gravity after the bar has been moved upwardly and to returnthe bar to such position after it has been moved downwardly, spaceddevices carried by said bar and disposed in the path of movement of saidelevating member, whereby the latter will engage one of them and movesaid bar when operated in either direction,a-nd a switch arranged to beactuated by said bar when moved in either direction to stop said motor.

4. In a truck, the combination of a frame, wheels for supporting saidframe, vertical guides supported by said frame, an elevating memberslidably engaging said guides, means carried by said frame and engagingsaid elevating member to move it along said guides, a guide device, abar mounted to move endwise in said guide device, a spring between saidbar and said device and serving to return the bar to normal positionafter it has been moved in one direction, de-

vices carried by said bar and arranged to be engaged by said elevatingmember when moved in either direction to operate said bar, and switchmeans arranged to be actuated by the movement of said bar to stop saidmoving means.

5. In a truck, the combination of a frame, wheels for supporting saidframe, vertical guides supported by said frame, an elevating memberslidably engaging said guides, means carried by said frame and engagingsaid elevating member to move it along said guides, a guide device, abar mounted to move endwise in said guide device, a spring between saidbar and said device and serving to return the bar to normal ositionafter it has been moved in one direction, devices carried by said barand engaged by said elevating member when moved in either direction tooperate said bar, and switch means comprising pairs of contacts one pairof which is opened upon the movement of said bar in either direction,whereby said moving means are stopped.

6. In a truck, the combination of a frame, Wheels for supporting saidframe, vertical guides supported by said frame, an elevating memberslidably engaging said guides, means carried by said frame and engagingsaid elevating member to'move it along said guides, a guide device, abar mounted to move endwise in said guide device, a spring between saidbar and said device and serving to re- Zturn the bar to normal positionafter it has been moved in one direction, devices carried by said barand engaged by said elevating member when moved in either direction tooperate said bar, switch means comprising pairs of contacts one pair ofwhich is opened -upon the movement of said bar in. either direction,whereby said moving means are stopped, and means acting on the movablecontact of each pair to move it into engagement with the other contactupon the return of said bar to normal position.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

EDWARD H. REMDE.

